Netflix's 'GLOW' season 2 is funnier and deeper than season 1, and one of the best current TV shows

It's funnier, even as it explores complex themes
including race and sexual harassment.

Star Betty Gilpin steals the show in brilliant comedic
and dramatic scenes.

Season two debuts June 29 on Netflix.

Season two of "GLOW," which makes its debut with ten new episodes
on Netflix June 29, is much funnier and deeper than its excellent
first season, keeping it high up in the ranks as one of the best
Netflix original shows, and one of the best shows on television.

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The half-hour drama/comedy set in 1980s Los Angeles is inspired
by "Glamorous Ladies of Wresting" (aka "G.L.O.W."), a women's
wrestling program that premiered in 1986. The first season
received glowing (forgive me) reviews from critics and audiences
alike when it came out last summer. The show stars Alison Brie,
Betty Gilpin, and Marc Maron, and features a large and diverse
cast of women of many ages and backgrounds.

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Netflix

Season one was great, but it was just a charming and sweet
introduction to what this show could become. And with the
training out of the way - and the plot surrounding
Ruth's (Brie) affair with Debbie's (Gilpin) husband -
the show has more room for its spectacular set of
characters and focuses on issues including race, sexual
harassment, motherhood, teen angst, and letting go of the past.

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There's a lot more layers and a lot more comedy now that the
women are wrestling, filming, and writing their ridiculous show
full time, rather than preparing for it. Late in the season,
there is an episode that is a show-within-a-show, and it's some
of the most brilliant sketch comedy in years.

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Netflix

Brie and Maron are as fantastic as they were last season.
Gilpin's ability to combine slapstick physical comedy with
heartbreak as Debbie's altar-ego Liberty Bell -
providing insight into both Liberty Bell and Debbie at the same
time - is mind-blowing. And Maron, who proved he has
some acting chops as director Sam Sylvia, gets a lot more to do
between his new role as a father to a teenage girl and his
complicated relationship with Ruth.

With a better understanding of this world and the main
characters, producer Bash (Chris Lowell) gets a major storyline
that goes from surprising to tragic, while Tammé/Welfare Queen
(Kia Stevens) and Arthie/Beirut (Sunita Mani) confront their
racial stereotypes in very different ways. Unfortunately, the
more characters who get the spotlight means that others like
Cherry Bomb and Carmen take the backseat.

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Netflix

Instead of pitting the women of G.L.O.W. against each other, the
story this season brings them together. There is conflict between
them, especially Ruth and Debbie, who have a complicated past.
Amidst a disagreement on how actresses should handle sexual
harassment and a major injury that might have been inflicted on
purpose, we get the chance to see how Ruth and Debbie's
friendship was before the first episode of the series. Their
respect for each other, despite what they disagree on and what
they've been through, is a great example of a female friendship
on television.

By exploring complex, relevant themes and taking full advantage
of its comedic elements, "GLOW" season two is even better than
the first.

Watch the trailer for season two below. You can see the
entire season when it comes out on June 29: